Palliative Care Services

Improving quality of life with compassion

What is palliative care?

Palliative care specializes in the relief of the pain, symptoms and stress of serious illness. The goal of the UnityPoint Health - Methodist Palliative Care team is to help provide you the best possible quality of life.

What symptoms can palliative care relieve?

Symptoms that can be relieved through palliative care include pain, shortness of breath, nausea, fatigue, constipation, loss of appetite, and difficulty sleeping.

What else can palliative care do for me?

Along with relieving your symptoms, our team listens to your concerns, answers your questions and offers guidance with difficult decisions. We offer emotional and spiritual support to you and your family.

How is palliative care different from hospice?

Palliative care is not the same as hospice care. Palliative care may be provided at any stage of illness and along with treatment meant to cure you.

Is palliative care right for me?

Palliative care might benefit you....

If you are suffering pain or other symptoms due to a serious illness including:

Cancer

Heart disease

Lung disease

Kidney failure

Chronic liver disease

Alzheimer's

Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

Lou Gehrig's Disease (ALS)

AIDS

Sepsis

If you have had several recent hospital admissions for the same condition

Who is on the Methodist Palliative Care Services Team?

Our team includes physicians, advanced practice nurses, pharmacists, social workers, and chaplains.

Does my insurance pay for palliative care?

Most insurance plans cover all or part of the palliative care treatment you receive in the hospital. This is also true of Medicare and Medicaid. If costs concern you, a member of our team can help you with payment options.